Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Punk gods I tell ya!!!, March 25, 2002
When I bought this CD, I thought of it more as an expansion pack to "I Heard They Suck Live" than another NOFX CD. I had wanted to hear the original versions to the "S+M Airline" songs on the live CD and the rest of that CD. To my surprise, after I bought it I realized that I might actually like this disk MORE than "I heard They Suck Live". However, I have to say I was disappointed with the studio version of "Life O'Riley". The concert version is so much better! Without El Hefe, NOFX ska pretty much su:cks. However, that's not all of it. The guitar (punk) during the chorus is better and has a lot more texture in concert. However I was still satisfied with the studio version of "You Drink, You Drive, You Spill". Despite the 5 stars, I would have to say that their newer work is much better then this. The greatness of this album just doesn't compare with the greatness of "The Decline" "So long..." or even "Pump up the Valuum". However, There is one superiority "S+M Airlines" has to their newer work: guitar solos. After all guitar solos are what NOFX does best. On here the songs are longer, giving NOFX more time in the beginning to rock it out without any words. Most of the time the vocals don't even start until about a minute into the song. In fact on "Drug Free America" the words don't even start until about 2 minutes into the song. I think this is how NOFX still should be writing all of their songs. However despite these technical improvements, the sound itself is greatly improved in their newer work. The lyrics have greatly improved as well. I shouldn't even have to tell you that. Just compare the track listing to "S+M Airlines" to "So long.." or "Pump Up The Valuum" and you can tell that the lyrics are better in their newer work. Not to mention the lyrics to songs like "Day To Daze" and "Go Your Own Way" just plain su:ck. However, even a song that seems to contain good lyrics from the name doesn't. I thought the song "Screaming For Change" was going to be a great political anthem (like "The Decline" or "180 Degrees"). But instead, "screaming for change" is pretty much the only thing in the song they say. That, along with some dialogue where someone is asking someone to spare some change (money). As an additional note, the topics to the lyrics of this CD are much more explicit. There is a song about p0rn (Vanilla Sex), drunk driving (u drink u drive...), and a protest to sell all drugs for free (Drug Free America). Overall, the song with both the best lyrics AND sound would have to be "Professional Crastionation". It's very "Ribbed" sounding (which is good). Also, with lines like "Professional crastionation it's a way of life" no teenager can help screaming out "HE:LL YEAH!!!!". I also really like the title track: "S+M Airlines". That song is probably the longest song NOFX has ever written other than "The Decline". It's about 4 minutes and 50 seconds! I also like the pure simplicity of the song: "Vanilla $ex". It has that same greatness that "The Brews" has off of "Punk In Drublic". So overall this is an amazing NOFX album. But then again, aren't they all?
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
S&M Airlines Review by NOFX on the Web!, December 20, 1998
By A Customer
S&M Airlines comes in a time when NOFX is struggling to become the band they are today. At this point, they have progressed somewhat as a band but were still searching for that unique sound that everyone loves today.The sound on this album is more similar to Liberal Animation, but not quite as raw. Songs like Life O' Riley and Go Your Own Way show us where NOFX would be progressing in the future. It shows us the melodic sound of NOFX that we have become quite familiar with. This album features 13 new tracks with songs about Sex, Pornography, Laziness and Procrastination, and Mean People. The great part about this album is that it contains funny tracks along with a good mix of punk rock. You won't find NOFX bragging too much about this album or playing the songs too often at their shows, it is definitely not one of their greatest releases. However, NOFX fans can't complain to a band that has only been playing for five years. Tracks worth listening to on this release are Vanilla Sex, You Drink You Drive You Spill, Life O' Riley, and Day to Daze. Depending on your preference I recommend picking up this disc after you have most of their better releases like Maximum Rock 'n' Roll, Ribbed, Punk in Drublic, and White Trash Two Heebs and a Bean. Rating: 7.5/10
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
In The Begining. . ., January 6, 2001
In the begining, before there was a wave of "SoCal" pop-punk bands that hit, there was a band who was infamous for there ludeness for immaturaty, and what happens... they are signed to Epitaph, and sold to the public. S&M Airlines, while not the best, was the first album to be manufactured in bulk for Fat Mike and Co. At first, it won't be the most liked album, but then you will here the last few songs. "Life O Riely" is an awesome song, with obvious ska influences, "You Drink You Drive, You Spill" is a humourous, yet serious song, "Screamin' For Change" is well... "Screamin' For Change", and you cannot leave out the hilarious cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Go Your Own Way". But don't just listen to the last few songs, go back and listen to the title track, and the "Day to Daze". This album is so great because, well because NOFX still hasn't changed after all these years.
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